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Culture Hampering Female Genital Mutilation Eradication

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 06:51

Culture is the main setback to the ongoing campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kisii District. The District Children's Officer Merigoret Mogaka observed yesterday that the practice is still rife in the district despite relentless efforts by her office to eradicate it.

"FGM is unhealthy and the Government, through the Ministry of Health is clear on this but few people are ready to change their attitude towards the vice," Mogaka lamented. She also disclosed that Kisii district is only second to Kisumu in terms of child abuse cases in Nyanza Province.

"Since January this year, it has had 619 child abuse cases. This ranges from abandoned, battered and defilement offences which have been reported to relevant authorities for legal action," she added. She took a swipe at NGOs that seek donor funding in the guise that they are championing children's rights, only to divert the cash to their own needs.

Describing this practice as child abuse, Mogaka said the children are vulnerable and should not be exploited for somebody else's selfish gain.The officer further said that they have employed public awareness campaign as an effective tool to sensitise people on the negative effects of FGM. She, however, observed that when tackling cultural issues using the law, one could easily fail to achieve the desired results. This, she said, is because most people fear contradicting their cultural beliefs.

Mogaka commended the Government for addressing street children's plight and noted that the free education programme and rehabilitation centres have played a key role in transforming the street urchins into upright Kenyans.